Indoor ice skating popular in Beijing's snow-free winter

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It's the time of year when skating in Beijing becomes super fun as skaters, young and old, are once again taking to the ice.

The recently closed PyeongChang Winter Olympics and the upcoming 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics are also fueling public enthusiasm.

But how are ice skaters keeping their spirits up in a snow-free winter?

Though there's been no major snow in Beijing so far, passion for winter sports is still high among locals.

Ice skating on Beijing's famous Shichahai Lake has long been part of the capital's winter activity list. It's among the six major open-air skating rinks open for business when the frozen lake is thick enough to skate on.

As it's been a warm winter in the capital, business for indoor ice rinks is heating up.

Several skaters enjoy skating on the ice. /‍VCG Photo

Yang Chao, district manager of Sub Zero Sunshine Sports, says: "This year we've seen a 30-percent rise of customers compared to the same period last year. The weather has been dry throughout winter so people prefer to skate in indoor ice rinks like ours. The PyeongChang Winter Olympics and the upcoming 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics are also fueling up public interest for winter sports."

Experts say ice skating is a whole body workout sure to chase those winter blues away, whether you're up for a solo glide, a get-together with pals, a first date or a family outing.

And according to some skaters, you also get to show off some dance moves, as it's more than just a sport but an art.

"I first encountered figure skating in 2011 when I came to this ice rink. It's so beautiful and I was instantly drawn to it. I think it's really difficult for us young people to find a hobby that can be both sporty and entertaining. Figure skating is the perfect choice," Han Xia, an ice skating enthusiast, told CGTN.

"I've been skating for over 20 years. I remember seeing figure skating on TV and immediately fell in love with it. It's truly an elegant sport but it also requires a lot of techniques. I've been practicing the sport ever since. There's always something new to learn," said another skater.

Over the past two years, over 100,000 middle school and primary school students in Beijing also got to experience ice and snow sports on campus thanks to the Beijing Municipal Commission of Education, which has been organizing activities of winter sports.

With the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics coming up, surely more will join the celebration of the ice and snow.